Episode description

Dr. Ben Davis (nuclear physicist, programmer, and former professor), Terry W. Erwin II (educator of English and Science at the High School level, who is also a science fiction writer) and Jim Craig (speaker, lecturer, and planetarium director) are our featured guests. Stephen Euin Cobb moderated this panel: asking questions and keeping everyone on topic.

Topic: Is America Still a Leader in Education? (Part 1 of 2)

Hosted by Stephen Euin Cobb, this is the November 21, 2012 episode of The Future And You. [Running time: 30 minutes] This is a panel discussion recorded before a live audience in Charlotte North Carolina on June 2, 2012 at the Science Fiction and Fantasy convention ConCarolinas. This is the first half of the panel discussion. The second half will be in next week's episode.

Dr. Ben Davis earned his PhD in Nuclear Physics from the University of Notre Dame. For several years he then taught mathematics, programming, astronomy and physics. He now works in the biometrics industry. His personal interest include: futurism, skepticism, science fiction, and history. 

Terry W. Erwin II writes novels, short stories and articles. His novels include: Blood Swordand Flank Hawk.   

Jim Craig is the director of the James H. Lynn Planetarium at the Schiele Museum in Gastonia NC. He is a lifelong science fiction fan and has given presentations on the history of science fiction. He is an outspoken activist for science education, critical thinking, skepticism and free thought. In 2006 he was allowed to name a crater on Mars.

Stephen Euin Cobb is an author, futurist, magazine writer and host of the award-winning podcast The Future And You. He is also an artist, essayist, game designer, transhumanist, and is on the Advisory Board of the Lifeboat Foundation. Three years a columnist and contributing editor for Jim Baen's Universe Magazine; he is a Contributing Editor at Space and Time Magazine; has become a regular contributor at Robot Magazine and H+ Magazine; and has written for Digit, Grim Couture and Port Iris magazines. His novels include: Bones Burnt Black, Plague at Redhook andSkinbrain.